United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Airline Bankruptcy Passenger Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue an order authorizing a covered air carrier to develop an air transportation plan which protects airline ticket holders in the event it becomes a debtor in bankruptcy proceedings after the ticket purchase date. Provides that if satisfactory plans have not been submitted by a specified deadline, the Secretary must promulgate regulations requiring all covered air carriers to provide air transportation for such ticket holders.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1991
Agent Orange Act of 1991 - Presumes the following diseases to be service-connected and resulting from exposure to dioxins and other herbicide agents during service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era unless there is affirmative evidence to the contrary: (1) non-Hodgkins lymphoma, each soft-tissue sarcoma (with certain exceptions), and chloracne or other consistent acneform diseases becoming manifest to a degree of disability of ten percent or more; and (2) those additional diseases that the Secretary determines warrant such a presumption by reason of having a positive association with a herbicide agent, if they become manifest within the appropriate period. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe regulations providing that a presumption of service connection is warranted whenever it is determined by the Secretary that a positive association exists between the exposure of humans to a herbicide agent and the occurrence of a disease in humans. Requires the Secretary to take into account reports received from the National Academy of Sciences, as well as other sound medical and scientific information. Outlines procedures to be followed by the Secretary in weighing evidence, reporting information, and making conclusions for or against the positive association and, therefore, the service-connection presumption. Provides for the issuance of final regulations listing the diseases for which positive associations have been found or removing the presumption for a disease. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) under which NAS shall review and summarize the scientific evidence (and its strength) concerning the association between exposure to a herbicide agent during service in Vietnam and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure. Provides for NAS: (1) scientific determinations concerning diseases; (2) recommendations for additional studies to resolve areas of uncertainty relating to herbicide exposure; (3) subsequent reviews; and (4) reports, at least biennially, to the Secretary and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees (the veterans' committees). Terminates the agreement ten years after the fiscal year of the first report from NAS. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with another body if the Secretary cannot reach an agreement with NAS within two months after enactment of this Act. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to direct the Secretary to annually furnish updated information on health risks associated with exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Extends through 1993 the eligibility for hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care and medical treatment of individuals who served in Vietnam and who have been determined to have been exposed to dioxin or a toxic substance in a herbicide as the result of such service and of veterans exposed to ionizing radiation while serving between September 11, 1945 and July 1, 1946. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze, on a continuing basis, all clinical data obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with examinations and treatment furnished to veterans by the Department after November 3, 1981, for exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and which is likely to be useful in determining the exposure to such agents and the disabilities suffered. Requires an annual report on such compilations and provides funding. Directs the Secretary, for facilitating research on the effects of exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed blood and tissue samples of veterans who served there. Provides for: (1) specimen security; (2) authorized uses; (3) limitations on acceptance of samples; and (4) authority based on specific funding. Directs the Secretary to establish a scientific research feasibility studies program for conducting research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in Vietnam; and (3) active military service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines program and report requirements. Directs the Secretary to consult with NAS. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of a Vietnam veteran who has applied for Department medical care and filed a claim for, or is in receipt of, disability compensation, to obtain a blood sample to conduct a test for the presence of a specified dioxin. Provides for notification to the veteran of test results and significance and requires such blood sample to be maintained as part of the collection of blood and tissue samples required under this Act. Makes conforming amendments and provides for alternative effective dates.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy credit for solar and geothermal property until December 31, 1996 (currently, such credit expires on December 31, 1991).
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the following qualified employer-provided transportation benefits: (1) the value of transportation in a commuter highway vehicle between the employee's residence and workplace; and (2) up to $30 per month of the value of any transit pass entitling the employee to transportation on mass transit facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Provides that the design on the obverse side of U.S. coins shall contain the likenesses of those displayed on current coins and shall be considered for redesign. Requires any such obverse redesigns to conform to the inscription requirements of current law. Requires the Secretary, in selecting new designs, to consider specified constitutional concepts. Requires the designs to be selected by the Secretary upon consultation with the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1991 - Title I: General Requirements for Leave - Establishes certain requirements for family and medical leave for permanent employees. (Excludes from such coverage: (1) employees at worksites at which the employer employs less than 50 persons, if the total number of employees of that employer within 75 miles of that worksite is less than 50; and (2) Federal officers and employees covered under title II of this Act.) Entitles employees to 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period because of: (1) the birth of their child; (2) the placement of a child for their adoption or foster care; (3) their care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition; or (4) their own serious health condition which makes them unable to perform the functions of their position. Conditions such leave for the birth or placement of a child as follows: (1) the entitlement ends 12 months after the birth or placement; (2) both parents may not take such leave at the same time; and (3) such leave may not be taken intermittently unless employee and employer agree otherwise. Allows all leave to which an employee is entitled under this title: (1) to be taken on a reduced leave schedule, upon agreement with the employer; and (2) to consist of unpaid leave, except under specified conditions when substitution of certain types of paid leave may be elected or required. Declares that nothing in this Act shall require an employer to provide paid sick or medical leave in any situation in which the employer would not normally provide any such paid leave. Requires employees to: (1) give reasonable notice of the need for leave to which they are entitled under this Act, when foreseeable; and (2) make a reasonable effort to schedule medical treatment or supervision so as not to disrupt unduly the employer's operations, subject to approval of the health care provider. Allows limitation of the dual aggregate leave entitlement to 12 weeks in any 12-month period, in the case of spouses employed by the same employer, if such leave is for the birth or placement of a child or for the care of a sick parent. Sets forth conditions of certification for leave entitlements under this Act, including provisions relating to: (1) sufficient certification; (2) explanation of inability to perform job functions; (3) second opinion; (4) resolution of conflicting opinions; and (5) subsequent recertification. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to leave entitlements under this Act, including provisions relating to: (1) restoration to position; and (2) maintenance of health benefits. Prohibits employers or other persons from interfering with employee rights under this Act or from discriminating against any individual because of participation in proceedings or inquiries under this Act. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for investigative authority, injunctive and monetary relief, attorneys' fees, and limitation of actions. Sets forth special rules concerning employees of local educational agencies, including provisions relating to intermittent leave for instructional employees, periods near the completion of an academic term, and reduction of liability. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Requires fines for willful violations of such requirement. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out this title. Title II: Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to family and temporary medical leave for specified periods. Allows such employees up to: (1) 12 workweeks in any 12-month period for family leave (i.e., leave because of the birth or placement of a child or care of a sick child or parent), but such leave may not be used at a time more than 12 months after such birth or placement; and (2) 12 workweeks during any 12-month period for temporary medical leave. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Provides for protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Sets forth certification provisions and prohibitions against coercion. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Leave - Establishes the Commission on Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of family and medical leave (which may include legislative recommendations concerning coverage of small businesses and alternative and equivalent State enforcement of this Act with respect to employees of local educational agencies) to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its report to the Congress. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting more generous leave policies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out this title within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Freedom of Choice Act of 1991 - Provides that a State may not restrict the right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy: (1) before fetal viability; or (2) at any time, if such termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman. Allows a State to impose requirements medically necessary to protect the life or health of such women.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Title I: Wilderness Additions - Designates specified lands in California as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. States that non-designated areas within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) have been adequately studied for inclusion in the System and are therefore released from otherwise applicable restrictions. Designates certain lands within the CDCA as the White Mountains Wilderness Study Area. Permits wilderness area livestock grazing on lands where such practice existed prior to enactment of this Act. Reserves Federal water rights on wilderness area lands. Title II: Death Valley National Park - Establishes the Death Valley National Park which subsumes the Death Valley National Monument. Withdraws the additional lands from further exploitation under the mining laws. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to determine the validity of any unpatented mining claims within such additional lands and whether the United States should acquire any mineral rights in such lands. Title III: Joshua Tree National Park - Establishes the Joshua Tree National Park which subsumes the Joshua Tree National Monument. Withdraws the additional lands from further exploitation under the mining laws. Requires the Secretary to determine the validity of any unpatented mining claims within such additional lands and whether the United States should acquire any mineral rights in such lands. Title IV: Mojave National Park - Establishes the Mojave National Park which subsumes the East Mojave National Scenic Area. Withdraws Federal lands within the Park from further exploitation under the mining laws. Requires the Secretary to determine the validity of any unpatented mining claims within the Park and whether the United States should acquire any mineral rights in such lands. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate mining in such Park. Allows grazing only to the extent allowed in current permits. Continues the validity of existing rights-of-way for specified activities. Directs the Secretary to prepare a Park management plan. Designates the Granite Mountains Natural Reserve within the Park. Authorizes the Secretary to construct a visitors' center and acquire lands. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: National Park Wilderness - Designates as wilderness the Death Valley National Park Wilderness, the Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Additions, and the Mojave National Park Wilderness. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to transfer Red Rock Canyon State Park Additions in the CDCA to California. Establishes the Desert Lily Sanctuary within the CDCA. Establishes the Indian Canyons National Historic Site, which shall be cooperatively managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Authorizes the Secretary to exchange Federal mineral interests in lands in California for private mineral interests in wilderness areas and national parks designated by this Act. Directs the Secretary to insure nonexclusive access to such wilderness areas and parks by Indian people for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Preserves existing rights of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Title VII: Military Activities - Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude, limit, or otherwise affect low level overflights of military aircraft in the California desert in the same location and degree as existed prior to enactment of this Act. Withdraws from appropriation under the public land laws and reserves for military use by the Secretary of the Navy specified lands in California known as the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in Inyo, Kern, and San Bernardino Counties and Chocolate Mountain in Imperial and Riverside Counties. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to manage such lands' nonmilitary uses, subject to closure by the Secretary of the Navy for security or safety purposes. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan for such lands. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to prevent and suppress brush and range fires with reimbursable assistance from the Bureau of Land Management. Requires the Secretaries to enter into a memorandum of understanding concerning the management plan which includes the provision of fire control assistance upon request. Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify the Secretary of the Interior whenever withdrawn lands are being used for defense-related purposes other than those specified, including the effect of such different use. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to delegate management responsibilities for China Lake to the Secretary of the Navy. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to report annually to the Secretary of the Interior, who shall then report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of natural and cultural resources on such withdrawn lands. Terminates land withdrawals under this Act 15 years after this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to publish a draft environmental impact statement on the continued or renewed withdrawal of lands under this Act. Requires such Secretary to hold a public hearing in California before the withdrawal's termination. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to maintain a decontamination program for such lands during their withdrawal. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on decontamination efforts. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to notify the Secretary of the Interior, at least three years before the termination of the withdrawal, whether an extension is going to be requested and, if not, to what extent such lands are contaminated with hazardous materials. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to decontaminate relinquished lands, but if such decontamination is not practicable or economically feasible, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to refuse to accept such lands. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to then: (1) warn the public of risks of entry; (2) conduct only decontamination activities on such lands after the expiration of the withdrawal; and (3) report to the Secretary of the Interior and the Congress on the status of such lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish the acceptance of withdrawn lands, indicating when such lands will be open and under what conditions. Exempts the United States from liability for injuries or damages resulting from nonmilitary activity on withdrawn lands. Authorizes an extension of the Navy's use of the El Centro Ranges in Imperial County, California, through January 1, 1990, subject to resource protection requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to offer or grant: (1) permanent replacement employee status during a labor dispute; or (2) any employment preference to an individual who worked or indicated a willingness to work during a labor dispute over an employee who exercised specified rights during such dispute and who is working for, or has unconditionally offered to return to work for, the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends Federal law to increase the Federal payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government for entitlement land. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to adjust such payments by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Violence Against Women Act of 1991 - Title I: Safe Streets for Women - Safe Streets for Women Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Federal Penalties for Sex Crimes - Amends Federal law to require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to create or amend guidelines to provide for: (1) up to twice the term of imprisonment or fine for violation, after the first conviction, of Federal laws relating to sexual abuse or similar laws of any State or foreign country; and (2) minimum or increased maximum sentences for rape, aggravated rape, or statutory rape. Requires that a court order restitution for violations of such Federal sexual abuse laws. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crime Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to areas of high intensity crime against women. Requires that the grants be used for personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States, for use by States and their subdivisions, to be used for the same purposes as the high intensity area grants and to reduce the the rate of violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make general grants to: (1) States to reduce violent crimes against women; and (2) Indian tribes to reduce violent crimes against women in Indian country. Authorizes the Director, in addition to the grants under this subtitle, to direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to use its authorities and resources in support of State and local assistance efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, from funds authorized under existing provisions, to make capital grants for the prevention of crime and to increase security in existing and future public transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to States and local public bodies to increase the safety of public transportation through lighting, camera surveillance, security phones, or other projects. Sets the Federal share of each project at 90 percent of the net cost. Directs the Secretary to provide grants and loans to study ways to reduce violent crimes against women in public transit through better design or operation of public transit systems. Amends the National Park System Improvements in Administration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to reduce violent crime in the National Park System (NPS). Provides for compilation of a list of areas within the NPS with the highest rates of violent crime. Allows funds to be used, around public parks and recreation areas, for increasing lighting, providing emergency phone lines, increasing security or law enforcement personnel, and any other project to increase security and safety. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants for capital improvements and other measures to increase safety in public parks and recreation areas. Subtitle D: National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women - Establishes the National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women to promote a national policy on violent crime against women and to make recommendations on reducing such crime. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report, subject to extension by the President for up to one more year. Subtitle E: New Evidentiary Rules - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to exclude, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in criminal cases other than a sex offense case, reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior of a victim from admission into evidence. Allows other types of evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Makes reputation or opinion evidence of the plaintiff's past sexual behavior, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, inadmissable in a civil action involving allegations of actionable sexual misconduct. Makes other types of evidence of a plaintiff's past sexual behavior admissible in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Defines actionable sexual misconduct to include sex harassment or discrimination claims under title VII (Equal Employment Opportunity) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and gender bias claims under title III of this Act. Makes evidentiary rulings made under specified Federal Rules of Evidence relating to sex offense cases and the relevance of a victim's past behavior subject to interlocutory appeal by the Government or by the alleged victim. Allows the alleged victim to waive those rules if the prosecution seeks to offer evidence of prior sexual history. Makes evidence of an alleged victim's clothing, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in a criminal case under Federal laws relating to sexual abuse, inadmissable to show the victim incited or invited the offense. Subtitle F: Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to allow States to use amounts transferred by the State under block grant provisions for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers or similar nongovernmental nonprofit entities. Authorizes appropriations. Removes a requirement that a minimum amount from the block grants under the PHSA be allotted to States on the basis of population. Removes provisions allowing a State to use amounts paid to the State under block grant provisions and amounts transferred by the State to provide services to rape victims and for rape prevention. Requires grant recipients under this title to incur the full cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual assault. Title II: Safe Homes for Women - Safe Homes for Women Act of 1990 - Subtitle A: Interstate Enforcement - Provides for a Federal term of imprisonment or fine, in addition to any State penalties, for any person who travels or causes another (including the intended victim) to travel across State lines or in interstate commerce with intent to injure a spouse or intimate partner and who, during the travel or thereafter, injures his or her spouse or intimate partner in violation of a criminal law of the State where the injury occurs, or in violation of a State protection order. Provides for temporary protection orders while a case under these provisions is pending. Mandates that a court order restitution to the victim of an offense under this Act. Requires, provided certain conditions are met, that a protection order issued by the court of one State be accorded full faith and credit by the court of another State. Makes a protection order issued against a person who filed a written pleading for protection not entitled to full faith and credit if no cross or counter petition, complaint, or other written pleading was filed seeking such a protection order or, if a cross or counter petition was filed, the court did not specifically find each party entitled to such an order. Subtitle B: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants, with regard to spousal abuse, to: (1) implement pro-arrest programs and policies in police departments and improve case tracking; (2) centralize and coordinate police enforcement, prosecution, or judicial responsibility for cases in one group of officers, prosecutors, or judges; and (3) educate judges to improve judicial handling of cases. Directs the Secretary to delegate to the Attorney General responsibility to carry out these provisions. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Funding for Shelters - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations to carry out that Act, earmarking at least 85 percent of funds appropriated for State demonstration grants to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance. Limits the percentage which may be used to carry out public information campaigns under provisions of subtitle D of this title. Subtitle D: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments - Allows demonstration grants to be used to increase public awareness about, as well as to prevent, family violence. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for public information campaigns regarding domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for the grants, to establish a Commission on Domestic Violence to examine matters such as arrest, prosecution, sentencing, restitution, and reporting. Directs (currently, authorizes) the Secretary to make a specified percentage (currently, no specified percentage) available for demonstration grants to Indian tribes. Removes the limit on the aggregate amount of grants to any single entity. Revises requirements regarding the local share of program costs for grants to entities other than States or Indian tribes. Increases the percentage of funds required to be used for shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents. Allows law enforcement training grants to be made under existing provisions only to private nonprofit organizations with experience in providing training and technical assistance to law enforcement personnel on a national or regional basis. Directs the Secretary to make grants to at least ten States to assist in becoming model demonstration States and in improving State leadership concerning: (1) increasing prosecutions for domestic crimes; (2) encouraging reporting of domestic violence; and (3) facilitating arrests and aggressive prosecution policies. Sets forth requirements for being designated a model State. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to delegate responsibilities under these provisions to the Attorney General. Directs the Secretary to make grants or contracts for the establishment and maintenance of six national resource centers to provide training and technical assistance to State, Indian tribal, and local domestic violence programs and to other professionals who provide services to domestic violence victims. Subtitle E: Youth Education and Domestic Violence - Directs the Secretary of Education to develop three separate model programs for education of young people about domestic violence and violence among intimate partners, with one program for each of primary and middle schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Confidentiality for Abused Persons - Requires the Postmaster General to promulgate regulations to secure the confidentiality of abused persons' addresses. Title III: Civil Rights - Declares that all persons within the United States shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities in every State as are enjoyed by all other persons to be free from crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender (defined as any crime of violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, or any other crime of violence committed because of or on the basis of gender). Makes any person, including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State, who deprives another of the rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws as enumerated by this Act liable to the injured party in an action for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, or other relief as the court deems appropriate. Amends the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 to allow the awarding of attorney's fees in actions to enforce this title. Title IV: Safe Campuses for Women - Safe Campuses for Women Act of 1990 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to make, on a competitive basis, grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education for rape education and prevention programs. Requires that the grants be used to educate and provide support services to student victims of rape or sexual assault, with 25 percent of the funds available for model demonstration programs for rape prevention and education curricula and for local programs to provide services to student rape victims. Authorizes appropriations to carry out title X (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) of the Act. Amends the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 to add sexual assault to the list of criminal offenses about which statistics must be disclosed by institutions participating in certain programs. Title V: Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1990 - Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in State Courts - Authorizes the State Justice Institute to make grants for model programs to be used by States in training judges and court personnel in State laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the State Justice Institute to expend at least: (1) 40 percent of appropriated funds on programs regarding domestic violence; and (2) 40 percent on programs regarding rape and assault. Subtitle B: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in Federal Courts - Directs the Federal Judicial Center to study and report on the nature and extent of gender bias in the Federal courts. Requires the Center to develop and disseminate model programs to be used in training Federal judges and court personnel in the laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires between 25 and 40 percent of such funds to be used for the study required by this subtitle.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to operate Glen Canyon Dam in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan for operating the Dam on an interim basis to protect, mitigate adverse effects to, and improve the condition of the natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Park and Recreation Area; and (2) implement the plan on the earlier of September 1, 1991, or the date of cessation of research flows used for preparing an environmental impact statement ordered by the Secretary. Enumerates certain objectives to be included in the plan as implemented, including noninterference with the water storage and delivery functions of the Dam, the minimization of adverse environmental impacts of the Dam operations on the downstream Park and Recreation Area, and adjustment and monitoring of sufficient water flows downstream from the Dam. Directs the Secretary to consult with appropriate agencies of the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, the Governors of affected States, and affected Indian tribes in the development and implementation of the plan. Authorizes the Secretary to deviate from the plan if found necessary and in the public interest. Requires the Secretary to complete a final Glen Canyon Dam environmental impact statement within three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) adopt criteria and operating plans separate from those specified under the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968; and (2) ensure that the Dam is operated in a manner consistent with the protection of the Park and Recreation Area. Requires the Secretary to establish and implement long-term monitoring requirements to assure that the Dam is operated in a manner consistent with the protection of the Park and the Recreation Area downstream. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility to a customer for the purchase or installation of energy or water conservation measures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Veterans Benefits and Health Care Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Compensation - Part A: Generally - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the rates of, and limitations on, Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation to coincide with benefit increases under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires such rate increases to be published in the Federal Register. Part B: Radiogenic Disabilities - Extends the presumption of service-connection, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation, to cover members of the reserves who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty for training or inactive duty for training. Amends Federal provisions relating to the payment of disability compensation due to certain diseases and disabilities presumed to be service-connected to remove the current limitation on the required manifestation period (either 40 or 30 years from the date on which a veteran last participated in a radiation-risk activity). Adds cancer of the salivary gland and cancer of the urinary tract to the list of diseases that will be presumed to be service-connected for purposes of such disability compensation. Requires the Secretary, within 210 days after enactment of this Act, to identify at least three military activities which likely would have exposed individuals to levels of ionizing radiation above background levels. Requires the Secretary to identify at least three additional activities by October 1 of FY 1991 through 1993. Requires the Secretary, immediately after identifying each additional activity, to direct the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards to evaluate, make findings, and report on whether participation in such activities resulted in exposure comparable to that resulting from a radiation-risk activity as defined under current law. Requires the Secretary to list each such activity unless the Advisory Committee's report and all other evidence indicate that such activity did not result in comparable exposure to that of veterans participating in radiation-risk activities. Requires the Secretary to make certain reports. Part C: Agent Orange Exposure and Vietnam Service - Veterans' Agent Orange Exposure and Vietnam Service Benefits Act of 1991 - Establishes a presumption of service connection, for the purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation, for each of the following diseases incurred by individuals who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam era, if such diseases become manifest to a disability degree of ten percent or more: (1) non-Hodgkins lymphoma; (2) each soft-tissue sarcoma; and (3) chloracne. Provides a presumption of service-connection in the case of a Vietnam veteran suffering from a disease associated with effects of exposure to certain dioxins or other herbicide agents during such service in Vietnam. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations listing a positive association between any disease and the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. Requires the Secretary to update such list continually. Requires the Secretary, in prescribing and revising such list, to obtain by contract the determinations and estimates of a contract scientific organization. Requires such organization to: (1) determine which diseases have any degree of association with the biological effects of exposure to a herbicide agent; and (2) estimate the extent of association between each such disease and each such biological effect. Requires the organization to determine such association specifically with respect to lung cancer and each other cancer. Outlines contract provisions required in such agreements between the Secretary and the scientific organization, including surveys, evaluations, and periodic determinations. Requires such scientific organization to provide reports to the Secretary and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees (veterans' committees) regarding its determinations and evaluations. Requires such organization to determine, in the event of a positive association, whether there is a reasonable basis for concluding that a Vietnam veteran with the highest level of exposure to that herbicide agent in Vietnam was exposed to such agent under the circumstances necessary for such biological effects. Requires a report from the organization to the Secretary and the veterans' committees when no such reasonable basis is found. Requires the Secretary to make certain determinations and follow-up reports after receiving such reports from the contract scientific organization, including the issuance of a report to the veterans' committees and the promulgation of positive association regulations, if necessary. Requires benefits to be continued even though a disease is removed from the list of diseases having positive associations. Terminates such contracting authority ten years after the first day of the fiscal year in which a scientific organization transmits its first report to the Secretary. Provides interim regulations and special effective dates. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze all clinical data that: (1) are obtained by the VA in connection with examinations and treatment of veterans for disabilities related to exposure to certain herbicides or to service in Vietnam; and (2) are likely to be scientifically useful in determining the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and their exposure to such herbicides and other toxic substances. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the veterans' committees concerning such analysis and its results. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) before compiling and analyzing such information. Requires the Director of OTA to review each annual report submitted by the Secretary and transmit to the Secretary an evaluation of the contents of each report. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed samples of blood and tissue of veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines provisions concerning the security and authorized uses of such specimens, as well as limitations on the acceptance of such samples. Requires the Secretary to consult with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to the extent that an agreement has been reached with NAS serving as the contract scientific organization for the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Director of OTA if no agreement is made with NAS. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide for studies of the feasibility of conducting additional scientific research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in support of U.S. and allied military operations in Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and (3) active military, naval, or air service there. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the results of such studies. Requires the Secretary to consult with NAS before undertaking such studies and requires NAS to review such studies and report recommendations to the Secretary and the veterans' committees to the extent provided under any agreement between the Secretary and NAS. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to annually furnish updated information to individuals listed in the Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange Registry on health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents in herbicides as a result of service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the veterans' committees on the research being conducted to develop treatments for psychological absorption of dioxin and other toxic agents used in herbicides by the United States in Vietnam, including research relating to exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents outside Vietnam. Extends through December 31, 1993, the eligibility for hospital and nursing home care for veterans exposed to toxic substances in Vietnam. Title II: Health Care - Part A: Mental Health - Authorizes the provision of health care and services for veterans of World War I or II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, or any other area during a period in which hostilities occurred who have been diagnosed to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to such services even though such disorder has not been determined to be service-connected. Requires the VA to accomplish an evaluation of a veteran within seven days after referral of such veteran to a Department health-care facility from a Vet Center (a center for treatment of veterans with mental illness disabilities). Expands eligibility for readjustment counseling at Vet Centers to include veterans of wars prior to Vietnam and veterans of service in any areas in which U.S. personnel were subjected to danger from armed conflict comparable to that occurring in battle with an enemy during a period of war. Directs the Secretary to establish and operate up to five VA health-care facilities as centers of mental illness research, education, and clinical activities, taking into account appropriate geographic distribution of such facilities. Precludes the Secretary from designating any health-care facility as a center unless the facility has (or may reasonably be anticipated to develop): (1) an arrangement with an accredited medical school or graduate school of psychology which provides education and training in psychiatry and psychology through regular rotation through such center so as to provide training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; (2) an arrangement under which nurses, social workers, or other allied health personnel receive education and training in mental health care through regular rotation through such facility; (3) the ability to attract the participation of scientists who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and into models for furnishing care and treatment to veterans suffering from mental illness; (4) a policymaking advisory committee to advise the directors of such facility and center on policy matters pertaining to the activities of such center; and (5) the capability to conduct effectively evaluations of the activities of such center. Authorizes appropriations. Declares that activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each center shall be eligible to compete for the award of funding from funds appropriated for the Department's medical and prosthetics research account and shall receive priority insofar as funds are awarded to projects for mental illness. Requires the Chief Medical Director (CMD) to ensure that: (1) research activities carried out through such centers include an appropriate emphasis on the psychosocial dimension of mental illness and on models for furnishing care and treatment to veterans suffering from mental illness; and (2) useful information produced by the centers is disseminated throughout the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration (HSRA). Requires the Secretary to submit to the veterans' committees an annual report on activities and effectiveness of the centers. Directs the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to submit to the Secretary and veterans' committees no later than February 15 of each of the years 1991 through 1993 a report on the Committee's evaluation of the results of a study required under the Veteran's Health Care Amendments of 1983 relating to the diagnosis and treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD. Directs the Secretary to comment to the veterans' committees concerning such report. Requires the Committee to update certain reports required of the Committee under the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 and requires the Secretary to comment to the veterans' committees concerning such updates. Directs the Secretary, in certain papers required to be submitted to the President annually, to identify the amounts in the appropriations requests for the VA that are estimated to be obligated for payments and treatments for veterans suffering from PTSD, and for education, training, research, and the operation of the National Center on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Requires the Secretary to ensure to the extent practicable that there are Department PTSD treatment units in locations readily accessible to veterans residing in rural areas of the United States. Part B: General Health - Authorizes the VA to furnish wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, and other medically necessary supplies and services as part of veterans' outpatient care when necessary either to obviate the need for hospital admission or in preparation for hospital admission. Provides outpatient dental care when medically necessary in preparation for hospital admission or for a veteran otherwise receiving other outpatient care or services. Increases the maximum cost limitation for the provision of certain home health care services to disabled veterans. Makes permanent the program of community-based contract veterans' alcohol and drug treatment program (currently expires September 30, 1991). Extends through FY 1995 the authority to provide contract care to U.S. veterans in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the upgrading and replacement of equipment and facilities for such Center through FY 1995. Decreases such annual authorization amount from $1,000,000 to $500,000. Earmarks the first $50,000 of grants appropriated to the Center for educating and training hospital personnel. Expands the current authority of the Secretary to acquire and provide housing for homeless veterans in order to allow entities to provide transitional housing for veterans recovering from substance abuse or mental illness disabilities. Extends such program through 1993. Establishes in the Treasury the Transitional Housing Fund for the provision of housing and loans to assist veterans in recovering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities. Outlines loan conditions and conditions for veterans residing in housing provided. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for the operation of such residences. Requires the director of either each medical center or each regional office of the VA to make an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans living within the area served, including needs for health care, education and training, employment, shelter, counseling, and outreach services. Requires the director of each medical center to develop a plan for each of FY 1991 through 1993 for the provision of outreach and other services to meet the needs identified. Requires actions taken under such plans to be coordinated with other programs of the VA and Federal, State, or local governments. Requires the director to disseminate information regarding services provided to homeless veterans by the medical center or other facilities of the VA. Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of providing, through community-based organizations, domiciliary care (including medical services) to homeless veterans. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with community-based organizations for the provision of such care. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993. Authorizes the Secretary to reprogram certain previously-appropriated funds to such program if it is found to be effective. Authorizes the Secretary to accept donations of funds or services in order to expand the medical services provided to homeless veterans through the Department. Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 to extend through FY 1993: (1) the authorization of appropriations for medical programs of the Department; (2) earmarked amounts for the conversion of unused space in urban VA facilities into domiciliary care beds for homeless veterans; and (3) earmarked amounts for the furnishing of care and services to homeless veterans who have chronic mental illness disabilities. Amends the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 to extend its program for mentally ill homeless veterans. Extends through FY 1991 a pilot program under the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 for the provision of mobile health-care clinics for the treatment of veterans residing at least 100 miles from a VA treatment facility. Requires the Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs to advise the Secretary and the CMD on the coordination of VA and non-VA programs, and the adequacy of funding, for prosthetics and special disabilities programs administered by the Secretary. Requires a report. Includes within the definition of "medical services" for coverage under Federal veterans' benefits provisions services to achieve pregnancy in a veteran or a veteran's spouse when such services are necessary to overcome a service-connected disability impairing the veteran's procreative ability. Directs the CMD to appoint an advisory committee to advise the CMD on the exercise of authority to furnish such services. Authorizes use of the Special Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Activities Fund of the VA for the payment of travel and related expenses necessary for the training of employees in the administration of therapeutic and rehabilitative services. Directs the Secretary, during FY 1991-1995, to conduct a compensated work therapy and therapeutic residence pilot program (CWTTR). Directs the Secretary to establish nonprofit corporations for the making of contracts for conducting work therapy programs under the CWTTR program at no less than ten or more than 15 VA medical centers operating such programs. Requires the Secretary to be assured from a nonprofit corporation that it will operate a therapeutic residence for eligible veterans in conjunction with an existing compensated work therapy program at a medical center. Allows for the provision of in-kind services from the Secretary to the corporation, including technical and clinical advice, supervision of activities, and minor maintenance and repairs to a therapeutic residence. Authorizes the Secretary to lend amounts to a corporation in order to assist such corporations to lease or purchase property for use as therapeutic residential treatment centers. Provides loan limits and other administrative provisions concerning such loans. Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration no less than ten residences acquired by the VA for use for such centers. Requires each such property to be leased to a nonprofit corporation for operation as a therapeutic residence under the pilot program. Outlines lease conditions and other administrative provisions concerning the establishment of nonprofit corporations for therapeutic residences. Requires each such corporation to submit to the Secretary annual reports providing a detailed statement of its operations, activities, and accomplishments during the preceding year. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees concerning each such corporation and its participation under the pilot program. Requires the Secretary, under the pilot program, to operate residences as therapeutic residences for the furnishing of transitional housing solely for veterans who are furnished compensated work therapy under applicable Federal law. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire residential housing for the purpose of furnishing such transitional housing for veterans being furnished compensated work therapy. Outlines the following conditions for the operation of such transitional housing: (1) that only qualified veterans and a house manager live in such residence; (2) that each resident (other than the house manager) pay the VA rent for the period of residence in such housing; (3) that, in the establishment and operation of such housing, the Secretary must comply with all local zoning, building, and other similar requirements; and (4) that the residence meet the State and community fire and safety requirements applicable to property used for similar purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for free room and subsistence for a house manager. Requires the CMD to be responsible for the management, maintenance, and disposition of property acquired for such transitional housing. Authorizes the Secretary to dispose of such property when no longer used for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the experience under the pilot program. Allows the Secretary to authorize the establishment of one or more nonprofit corporations to provide a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of VA compensated work therapy programs for veterans (including homeless veterans) in such community or communities as the Secretary may designate. Requires such corporations to be established solely for such programs. Requires funds received by such a corporation for the conduct of such programs to be transferred to the Special Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Activities Fund. Outlines administrative provisions concerning the establishment and operation of each such nonprofit corporation, including provisions concerning: (1) the board of directors and executive officers; (2) general powers; (3) applicable State law; and (4) accountability and oversight. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress no later than February 1, 1993, on the experience under the program. Prohibits the establishment of any nonprofit corporation for such purposes after September 30, 1993. Authorizes the use of the Special Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Activities Fund for the purchase of property to be used for transitional housing under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees the Secretary's evaluation, findings, and conclusions regarding the provision of such alternative noninstitutional care. Extends through FY 1995 the pilot program for the furnishing of preventive health-care services for veterans by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to implement annually at each VA facility a major preventive health-care and health-promotion initiative for any veteran receiving other care and services administered through the Secretary. Limits expenditures for such programs and initiatives through FY 1995. Directs the CMD to designate an official in such Administration as the Director of Preventive Health-Care and Health-Promotion Programs. Requires such Director to prepare guidance regarding, to be responsible for coordinating and evaluating, and to advise the CMD on, all activities carried out under such programs and initiatives. Requires the Secretary to submit to the veterans' committees an interim and final report on experiences under the pilot program. Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) service dogs trained to assist quadriplegic individuals in the performance of daily living tasks to quadriplegic veterans who have a service-connected disability; and (2) signal dogs trained to provide hearing assistance to deaf persons to veterans having a service-connected hearing impairment and in need of such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to pay travel to and from their homes incurred in becoming adjusted to such dogs. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees concerning a backlog that has occurred in the procurement of prosthetic appliances in FY 1989, for the failure to furnish certain other prosthetic appliances, and the actions planned by the Secretary to prevent a recurrence of such problem. Increases from $500 to $1,000 the total amount that may be expended on any veteran in a 12-month period for such services and treatment. Repeals the authority of the Secretary to furnish tobacco to veterans receiving hospital or domiciliary care. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to recommend policies and legislation for the elimination of inconsistencies among provisions of law relating to veterans' eligibility for certain health-care benefits. Directs the Secretary to review the report submitted by the task force and either approve the recommendations for legislation contained therein or prepare alternative legislative proposals appropriate for the elimination of the inconsistencies identified by the task force. Requires a report to the veterans' committees concerning the recommendation of such legislative proposals. Directs the Secretary to provide Department-furnished outpatient medical services to any former prisoner of war for any disability. Part C: Health-Care Personnel - Veterans Health-Care Personnel Act of 1991 - Authorizes the payment of special pay on the same basis as that given to registered nurses to those health-care professionals who are furnishing direct care to patients or services incident to direct patient care. Increases the limitation on the amount authorized to be paid as special pay to certain individuals in the HSRA of the VA. Requires increases in such pay of a specified amount or more to be reported by the Secretary to the veterans' committees. Includes coverage of HSRA personnel under Federal employees' collective bargaining rights and procedures. Revises provisions concerning disciplinary actions and grievances within the HSRA. Directs the Secretary to establish and conduct a dependent care assistance program, which meets certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, for the care of dependents of employees of the HSRA. Requires such program to be implemented no later than June 1, 1991. Requires current representatives of the field of paramedics to assist in the establishment of cooperative arrangements to provide for the training of health and paramedical personnel in order to improve the manpower utilization of such personnel. Requires such arrangements to be implemented no later than February 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1994 for making grants for such cooperative programs. Directs the CMD of the VA to conduct a pilot program at no less than five VA medical facilities during FY 1991 through 1993 in order to determine the effect on employees of VA pay and personnel management practices. Requires the CMD to establish certain alternative pay and personnel management practices, such as increasing certain pay differentials for day versus evening duty, utilizing registered nurses in new ways for the furnishing of direct patient care, and establishing a collaborative practice committee involving physicians, nurses, and other direct health-care personnel. Requires various reports between the CMD, the Secretary, and the veterans' committees relating to the results of such pilot program. Directs the Secretary to pay special incentive pay to psychologists employed within the HSRA. Requires psychologists receiving such special pay to hold diplomas in psychology from a recognized institution unless the Secretary determines that such psychologists are not needed to furnish appropriate psychological services for veterans. Outlines the educational and licensure requirements for social workers employed in the HSRA of the Department. Exempts individuals already employed by the Department of such capacity before the enactment of this Act from such requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to convert donated space in Department facilities for use as a child care center without reimbursement. Directs the Secretary to require each director of a Department medical center to: (1) assess the need of employees at such center for child-care services; and (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary containing the director's findings concerning such needs and a proposal of how such needs could be met. Requires the directors to consult with appropriate employee representatives in making such assessment. Part D: Special Pay for Physicians and Dentists - Department of Veterans Affairs Physicians' and Dentists' Compensation Act of 1991 - Revises provisions of Federal law relating to special pay for VA physicians and dentists. Authorizes the Secretary of VA, in order to recruit and retain highly qualified physicians and dentists, to provide special pay to such individuals under regulations prescribed by the Secretary after the Secretary has received the recommendations of the CMD. Conditions such special pay on the execution of a written agreement by the physician or dentist to perform a period of obligated service within the HSRA. Provides that such individual is not entitled to such special pay during the first three years of such service, except at the discretion of the CMD for full-time services. Prohibits special pay for those physician and dentist positions for which there is no significant recruitment and retention problem. Sets forth requirements of a written agreement, including provisions providing for: (1) a covered period of one to four years; (2) refunding of special pay for unfulfilled services; (3) the waiver of such refund requirement due to circumstances beyond the control of the physician or dentist; and (4) terms under which the Secretary and the physician or dentist may terminate the agreement. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to eligible full-time physicians based upon specified factors, including: (1) tenure within the HSRA; (2) service in a medical specialty for which it is extremely difficult to recruit and retain qualified professionals; (3) service in certain executive positions; (4) specialty or board certifications; (5) service in a geographic location for which there are extraordinary difficulties in the recruitment or retention of qualified personnel; and (6) service by a physician with exceptional qualifications within a specialty. Requires all special pay for such full-time physicians to be personally approved by the CMD on a case-by-case basis. Sets forth conditions and limitations to the payment of such special pay. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to part-time eligible physicians based upon similar factors. Requires the Secretary to pay each such physician an amount of special pay equal to the proportion of full-time service that physician performs. Directs the Secretary to provide special pay to eligible full-time and part-time dentists based upon similar factors. Prohibits a physician from receiving such special pay while also receiving special pay for serving in certain executive positions. Allows scarce specialty pay (another form of special pay that rewards scarce specialty areas of practice) for a physician or dentist serving as a chief of staff only if it is necessary to recruit or retain qualified physicians or dentists for such position and only if the CMD personally approves such specialty pay. Requires, with regard to the payment of special pay, determinations: (1) that there are extraordinary difficulties in recruitment or retention; and (2) of whether there are extraordinary difficulties in a specific geographic location in the recruitment or retention of qualified physicians or dentists. Sets forth considerations for determinations with respect to extraordinary recruitment and retention difficulties and the payment of special pay for individual medical facilities of the VA. Requires the director of an individual facility, in such a case, to recommend the payment of such special pay to the CMD and wait 45 days after which such pay would become effective unless disapproved by the CMD. Provides for delegation of the approval power of the CMD. Prohibits special pay from being paid to a physician or dentist who: (1) is employed on a less than half-time basis or on an intermittent basis unless the CMD determines it is the most cost-effective way of providing needed medical or dental services at a VA facility; (2) occupies an internship or residency training position; or (3) is a reemployed annuitant. Reinstates the payment of special pay under this Act for full-time physicians or dentists of the HSRA who had been receiving special pay under primary, full-time, and tenure categories before the authority for the payment of that special pay was repealed. Reinstates similarly the payment of special pay under the primary and tenure categories for part-time physicians and dentists of the HSRA. Outlines the manner in which special pay is to be considered for purposes of other benefits laws for Federal employees. States that it is the policy of the Congress to assure that total pay for HSRA physicians and dentists is comparable to total pay of other Government physicians and dentists and to the income of non-Federal physicians and dentists. Directs the Secretary: (1) in order to assist in implementing such policy, to obtain measures of income of such non-VA physicians and dentists and to define the bases for pay distinctions; (2) to report to the President quadrennially on appropriate amounts of special pay to HSRA physicians and dentists to carry out such policy; and (3) to report to specified congressional committees annually on the use of authorities under this title. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any full-time board-certified physician or dentist appointed in the HSRA for expenses incurred, up to $1,000 per year, for continuing professional education. Allows a physician or dentist within the HSRA who had previously received special pay under the full-time, primary, or tenure categories (repealed by this Act) and had elected not to have such pay treated as basic pay for purposes of retirement and annuity amounts to elect to treat the special pay provided under this Act as basic pay for such purposes. Title III: Education and Employment - Extends through 1993 the period in which a Vietnam era veteran will be considered as such for purposes of eligibility for job training, counseling, and placement services. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to expand an employment and training program implemented under the Veterans' Benefits Amendments of 1989 in order to furnish employment and training information and services under such program in more than ten geographically dispersed areas of the United States. Requires the Secretary to make certain determinations with regard to the success of such program before undertaking such expansion. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on such expansion. Requires the Secretary to utilize disabled veterans' outreach program specialists or local veterans' employment representatives and other resources in implementing such expansion. Makes persons receiving outpatient medical care or services pending discharge from active military service eligible for veterans' vocational rehabilitation if such persons are being treated at a hospital under contract or agreement with the Secretary of Defense. Extends by one year the period of automatic disenrollment for veterans' educational assistance benefits to allow for the filing of a claim for such benefits. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with an individual whereby the individual agrees to perform work-study service and the Secretary deducts the allowance otherwise payable to such individual from indebtedness resulting from any overpayment received by such individual under VA-administered education, rehabilitation, or training benefits. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to reduce or eliminate such individual's indebtedness, to waive certain work-study program eligibility requirements and limitations, as well as certain debt collection requirements. Prohibits such an agreement from continuing in force after the individual's debt has been liquidated. Requires the Secretary to compensate such an individual for work-study services performed after such debt has been liquidated. Authorizes the Secretary to approve the pursuit of flight training for an individual entitled to post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance if: (1) such training is necessary for the attainment of the individual's vocational objective; (2) the individual possesses a valid pilot's license and meets all medical requirements necessary for a commercial pilot's license; and (3) the flight school courses are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the State. Sets forth the amount of assistance and other conditions for such flight training, including receipt by the Secretary of a certificate from the individual and institution involved of the flight training completed and the tuition and other fees. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training to: (1) assess the employment and training needs of veterans; (2) determine the extent to which programs and activities of the Department of Labor are meeting such needs; and (3) carry out necessary activities to make certain reports and recommendations required in this section. Directs the Secretary of Labor to consult with and seek the advice of the advisory committee with respect to the employment and training needs of veterans. Requires the advisory committee to report annually to the Secretary of Labor on the employment and training needs of veterans, including recommendations for legislation or administrative or other appropriate action. Requires the Secretary to transmit such annual reports to the Congress together with comments. Requires advisory committee appointments to be made within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Title IV: Housing - Makes permanent (currently ends September 30, 1990) the requirement for the VA to notify and counsel veterans about the impact of, and alternatives to, foreclosure when the veterans default on a VA-guaranteed home loan. Allows the VA to sell vendee loan assets (collateral) either: (1) with recourse; or (2) without recourse only if the amount received by the Department is at least equal to the unpaid balance of the loan. Extends through FY 1992 the authority for certain home loan lenders to review appraisals. Makes permanent certain current Federal provisions concerning default procedures and property management with regard to home loans guaranteed by the VA. Exempts individuals obtaining VA-guaranteed home loans from the requirement that individuals obtaining federally guaranteed loans of over $150,000 disclose their lobbying activities. Directs the VA, at the request of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to issue certificates of veteran status to veterans seeking certain benefits under laws administered by HUD. Authorizes the VA to issue such certificates without reimbursement. Limits the time during which a veteran may apply for waiver of a home-loan debt to the one-year period following the date on which the VA notified the debtor of the indebtedness. Requires that debt notices for home-loan and non-home-loan debts inform the recipient of his or her right to apply for a waiver and the procedures for such application. Title V: Insurance - Increases from $10,000 to $20,000 the maximum amount of Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance available to those veterans who are eligible for a waiver of premiums due to total and permanent disability. Increases from $40,000 to $90,000 the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance available to veterans who have received a specially-adapted housing grant. Title VI: Minority Affairs - Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to assign as one of the functions of the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs the review and assessment of the effects of policies, programs, and activities of the VA on minority veterans and the monitoring of access of such veterans to services and benefits under laws administered by the VA. Defines "minority veterans" as veterans who are black, Native-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Pacific Islander-American, or women. Reestablishes, as of October 1, 1990, the Advisory Committee on Native Americans. Requires reports from such Committee concerning the plight of Native Americans and their access to services and benefits of the VA. Terminates such Committee 90 days after their second report is transferred to the veterans' committees. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Defines "minor child" for purposes of eligibility for burial in national cemeteries as a child under 21 years of age or under 23 if the person is pursuing a course of instruction at an educational institution. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for flat grave markers in a section of the Florida National Cemetery that had installed preplaced grave liners as of a specified date. States that the prohibition on the payment of attorneys' fees in connection with VA benefits proceedings applies only where the individual is applying for such benefits, and not when the Government is proceeding against a person to collect an indebtedness or in cases in which other attorneys' fees statutes apply. Modifies certain administrative reorganization requirements within the VA. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into enhanced use agreements (a written agreement for the use of a VA facility consistent with the Department's mission in return for the payment of consideration to the VA) with respect to designated property and to direct the disposal of such property. Provides lease terms and other conditions with respect to such agreements. Requires the Secretary, before designating a property for an enhanced-use lease, to conduct local hearings to consider the proposed lease and its possible effects on the local community. Requires the veterans' committees to be notified of any such designation. Requires a specified notice to be published in the Federal Register. Allows the Secretary to initiate action for the disposal of leased property no longer needed by the VA to the lessee by requesting the Administrator of General Services to carry out a special disposition of such property. Requires notice of a special disposition to be provided to the veterans' committees and published in the Federal Register. Requires funds received by the VA under an enhanced-use agreement to be deposited into the nursing home revolving fund and administered as part of that fund. Outlines provisions concerning construction standards, exemption from State and local taxes, and limitations on the number of enhanced-use agreements. Terminates the authority to enter into such leases as of September 30, 1994. Makes standards relating to disqualification of Federal judges applicable to judges serving on the Court of Veterans Appeals. Makes all funds in the Department's Medical Care account exempt from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Extends from three to 12 months the period during which a veteran with no spouse or dependent children may be furnished domiciliary or nursing home care by the VA before such veteran's pension is reduced. Provides that, when a veteran's pension payments are so reduced, up to $10,000 of the benefits withheld shall be repaid to the veteran upon discharge. Increases from $1,500 to $6,000 the value of the estate allowed a hospitalized incompetent veteran without dependents before the VA suspends the veteran's compensation or benefits. Increases from $500 to $2,000 the amount to which an estate must be reduced before such benefits may be resumed. Prohibits the Secretary from delegating the functional and technical supervision of the performance of security and law enforcement functions within the VA to any official outside the Office of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees concerning security and law enforcement matters with the VA. Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to increase the number of people authorized to be appointed by the Secretary to a commission formed for the purpose of selecting individuals for the position of the CMD whenever a vacancy in such position occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Central American Democracy and Development Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) encourage and support the Central American countries in efforts to build democracy, restore peace, establish respect for human rights, expand economic opportunities, and improve living conditions; (2) support and encourage dialogue as the proper means of resolving armed conflicts in Central America; (3) assist in, and secure greater international support for, the recommendations of the International Commission on Central American Recovery and Development; (4) participate in, and contribute to, the United Nations Development Programme for its Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for Central America; (5) help organize a partnership among donor countries and the Central American countries to provide a means of mobilizing resources and promoting a forum for dialogue about issues of development, democracy, social justice, and human rights; and (6) support and promote the President's proposed Enterprise for the Americas Initiative to assist Central American countries in opening their economies and managing their foreign debt. Requires the United States, if requested by the governments of Central America, to provide assistance for the development of the Central American Development Coordination Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Violent Crime Prevention Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, importation, sale, or delivery of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition, except for: (1) the use of the Federal Government or any State or local government; and (2) testing or experimenting authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition. Requires licensed importers and manufacturers to mark all .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition and packages containing such ammunition for distribution. Includes .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition as restricted ammunition, the use of which during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory five-year prison term.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that any individual who performed Desert Shield services (and the individual's spouse) shall be entitled to an extension of time for performing certain tax-related acts by reason of service in a combat zone. Allows the payment of interest on any overpayments due such individuals starting April 15. (Generally, interest will be paid only on refunds made more than 45 days after a return is filed.) Applies the time extension granted by this Act to individuals during any period of continuous hospitalization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
International Military Education and Training Reform Act of 1991 - Requires at least ten percent of funds appropriated for international military education and training under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to be available for programs to train: (1) foreign civilian officials in administering military establishments and budgets; and (2) foreign military and civilian officials in maintaining military judicial systems and codes of conduct. Makes funds available for "nation building" training only in countries in which no individual could be expected to carry out such activities and in which a freely elected head of government has requested such training. Requires all trainees under such programs to receive instruction to promote adherence to: (1) protecting civilians and prisoners from harm and intimidation; (2) reporting to proper authorities all human rights abuses by military forces; and (3) accepting the authority of elected civilian officials.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Increase and Agent Orange Act of 1991 - Title I: Compensation Rate Increases - Increases the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Title II: Agent Orange Exposure and Vietnam Service - States that the following diseases will be presumed to be service-connected for purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation, if they become manifest to a degree of disability of ten-percent or more in a veteran who served on active duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam era: (1) non-Hodgkins lymphoma; (2) each soft-tissue sarcoma, with specified exceptions; and (3) chloracne, if it becomes manifest to such degree within one year after the last date the veteran performed active duty in Vietnam. Provides that, in the case of a Vietnam veteran exposed to certain dioxins or other herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, specified diseases listed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and identified as having a positive association with the biological effects of exposure to such herbicide agent shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service, even though there is no record of such disease having occurred during such service. Presumes that Vietnam veterans having such disease were exposed to such dioxin or herbicide during their Vietnam service, unless there is affirmative evidence to the contrary. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the applicability of this section to those exposed to the same type of dioxins or herbicides outside of Vietnam while on active duty. Provides a presumption of service-connection in the case of a Vietnam veteran suffering from a disease associated with effects of exposure to certain dioxins or other herbicide agents during such service in Vietnam. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations listing a positive association between any disease and the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. Requires the Secretary, in prescribing and revising such list, to obtain by contract the determinations and estimates of a contract scientific organization. Requires such organization to: (1) determine which diseases have any degree of association with the biological effects of exposure to a herbicide agent; and (2) estimate the extent of association between each such disease and each such biological effect. Requires the organization to determine such association specifically with respect to lung cancer and each other cancer. Outlines contract provisions required in such agreements between the Secretary and the scientific organization, including surveys, evaluations, and periodic determinations. Requires such scientific organizations to provide reports to the Secretary and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees regarding their determinations and evaluations. Requires such organization to determine, in the event of a positive association, whether there is a reasonable basis for concluding that a Vietnam veteran with the highest level of exposure to that herbicide agent in Vietnam was exposed to such agent under the circumstances necessary for such biological effects. Requires a report from the organization to the Secretary and the veterans' committees when there is no such reasonable basis found. Requires the Secretary to make certain determinations and follow-up reports after receiving such reports from the contract scientific organization, including the issuance of a report to the veterans' committees and the promulgation of positive association regulations, if necessary. Requires benefits to be continued even though a disease is removed from the regulations listing diseases having positive associations. Terminates such contracting authority ten years after the first day of the fiscal year in which a scientific organization transmits its first report to the Secretary. Provides interim regulations and special effective dates. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze all clinical data that: (1) are obtained by the Department in connection with examinations and treatment of veterans for disabilities related to exposure to certain herbicides or to service in Vietnam; and (2) are likely to be scientifically useful in determining the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and their exposure to such herbicides and other toxic substances. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the veterans' committees concerning such analysis and its results. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) before compiling and analyzing such information. Requires the Director of OTA to review each annual report submitted by the Secretary and transmit to the Secretary an evaluation of the contents of each report. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed samples of blood and tissue of veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines provisions concerning the security and authorized uses of such specimens, as well as limitations on the acceptance of such samples. Requires the Secretary to consult with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to the extent that an agreement has been reached with the NAS serving as the contract scientific organization for the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Director of OTA in the event of no agreement with NAS. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide for the conduct of studies of the feasibility of conducting additional scientific research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in support of U.S. and allied military operations in Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and (3) active military, naval, or air service there. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the results of such studies. Requires the Secretary to consult with the NAS before undertaking such studies and requires the NAS to review such studies and report recommendations to the Secretary and the veterans' committees, to the extent provided under any agreement between the Secretary and the NAS. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to annually furnish updated information listed in the Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange Registry on health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents in herbicides as a result of service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the veterans' committees on the research being conducted to develop treatments for physiological absorption of dioxin and other toxic agents used in herbicides by the United States in Vietnam, including research relating to exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents outside Vietnam. Extends through December 31, 1993, the eligibility for hospital and nursing home care for veterans exposed to toxic substances in Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends Federal census law to require the Secretary of Commerce to adjust the population data of the decennial census to correct for any under- or over-counts and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the proposed plan for making such adjustments. Declares that the use of the "sampling" statistical method shall be governed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Drug Emergency Areas Act of 1990 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to replace language with respect to the designation of high intensity drug trafficking areas with provisions authorizing the President to declare a State or part of a State to be a drug emergency area. Requires requests for such a declaration to be made, in writing, by the Governor or chief executive officer of any affected State or local government and forwarded to the President through the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Allows cities, counties, or States to submit a joint request. Requires requests to be based on a written finding that the emergency is of such severity and magnitude that Federal assistance is necessary to ensure an effective response. Prohibits the President from limiting declarations made under this Act to highly-populated centers of drug trafficking, drug use, or drug-related violence. Requires the President to consider applications from governments of less populated areas where the magnitude and severity of such activities are beyond the capability of the State or local government to respond. Requires Governors or chief executive officers, as part of such requests and as a prerequisite to such assistance, to: (1) take appropriate action under State or local law to respond to the crisis and furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the emergency; (2) certify that State and local government obligations and expenditures will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements; and (3) submit a detailed plan outlining the State or local government's short- and long-term plans to respond to the emergency. Requires the Director to review requests submitted and forward the application to the President, along with a recommendation. Authorizes the President to make grants to State or local governments of up to $50,000,000 for any single emergency. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the costs necessary to implement the short- and long-term plan. Limits the duration of assistance to a drug disaster area to one year, after which the Governors or chief executive officers may apply for an extension of up to 180 days. Requires any State or local government receiving Federal assistance to balance the allocation of such assistance evenly between drug supply and demand reduction efforts, unless State or local conditions dictate otherwise. Authorizes the President to: (1) direct any Federal agency to utilize its authorities and resources to support State and local efforts; and (2) provide technical and advisory assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress has the power to set reasonable limits on campaign expenditures by, in support of, or in opposition to any candidate in any primary or other election for Federal office. Declares that the States have such power with respect to State or local elections.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Declares that the Department of Commerce, in considering the population discrepancies in the 1990 census, should utilize the statistical correction methodology to achieve a fair and accurate census.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Declares that the Congress: (1) is firmly committed to reversing Iraq's occupation of Kuwait; and (2) supports the continued application of international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to pressure Iraq to leave Kuwait, but does not rule out declaring war or authorizing the use of force at a later time. Authorizes the use of American military force to enforce the United Nations economic embargo against Iraq, defend Saudi Arabia from direct Iraqi attack, and protect American forces in the region. Pledges continued support for sustaining the policy of increasing economic and diplomatic pressure against Iraq, maintaining U.S. military options, and seeking to increase the military and financial contributions made by allied nations. Declares that: (1) the Constitution vests all power to declare war in the Congress; and (2) the Congress will expeditiously consider any presidential request for a declaration of war or for authority to use military force against Iraq. Sets forth congressional priority procedures for consideration of a joint resolution declaring war or authorizing military force against Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1991
Supports: (1) the actions taken by the President to defend Saudi Arabia; and (2) the President's diplomatic and economic initiatives to resolve the Persian Gulf crisis. Demands that Iraq immediately withdraw from its illegal occupation of Kuwait. Finds that: (1) the Constitution vests all power to declare war in the Congress; and (2) any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iraq must be pursuant to an explicit authorization by the Congress before such action may be initiated.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1990
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act Amendments of 1990 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (the Act) to prohibit an eviction or distress from being made during a period of military service with respect to a premise for which the agreed rent does not exceed $1,200 (currently, $150) per month, when such premises is occupied chiefly by the dependents of the person in military service, except upon leave of the court granted upon application or in a proceeding affecting the rights of possession. Extends the power of attorney coverage under the Act to include a power of attorney that by its terms expires after August 2, 1990. Provides professional liability protection for persons ordered to active duty after August 1, 1990, who, prior to such date, were engaged in the furnishing of health care services or other services determined by the Secretary of Defense to be professional services and who had in effect a professional liability insurance policy that does not continue coverage during the period of active duty. Specifies that an insurance carrier shall have no liability with respect to any claim that is based on professional conduct of a person that occurs during a period of suspension of such person's professional liability insurance under this Act. Requires an insurance carrier to suspend and to reinstate coverage of such affected person upon receipt of a written request from such person. Requires such person to request reinstatement within 30 days after release from active duty. Provides a minimum period of required coverage by the carrier following reinstatement, without an increase in the insurance premiums charged. Provides for the stay of a civil or administrative action for damages on the basis of professional liability of a person whose insurance has been suspended under these provisions if: (1) the action is based on an act or omission that occurred before the suspension was effective; and (2) the suspended insurance would, on its face, cover the alleged professional misconduct. States that the period of such stay shall not be included in any statute-of-limitations period. Outlines provisions concerning the death of a person whose professional liability insurance has been suspended and the consequences with respect to the suspended insurance coverage on previous or suspended (stayed) claims. Provides that any person employed and covered under an employer-offered health insurance policy who goes to active military service or training and is reemployed upon returning may not be subject to a waiting period or exclusion of coverage imposed in connection with coverage of a qualifying health or physical condition if: (1) the condition arose before or during such person's period of training or service; (2) no exclusion or waiting period would have been imposed for the condition during a period of coverage resulting from participation by such person in the insurance; and (3) the condition of such person has not been determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be service-connected. Provides that any person who, by reason of military service, is entitled to the rights and benefits of the Act shall be entitled upon release from such military duty to reinstatement of any health insurance which: (1) was in effect on the day before such service commenced; and (2) was terminated during the period of such service. Prohibits any exclusion or waiting period from being imposed in connection with reinstatement of health insurance coverage of a health or physical condition covered by the Act if: (1) the condition arose before or during such person's period of training or service; (2) no exclusion or waiting period would have been imposed for the condition during a period of coverage resulting from participation by such person in the insurance; and (3) the condition of such person has not been determined by the Secretary to be disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Provides reemployment rights for all reservists (currently, only those serving on active duty for not more than 90 days) upon their return from any active duty other than for training.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1990
Congratulates the Government and the people of New Zealand during the sesquicentennial of the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's principal founding document) and pays tribute to the 151st anniversary of the United States-New Zealand relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1990
Title X Pregnancy Counseling Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to ensure that projects receiving assistance under title X of the Public Health Service Act offer pregnant women information and counseling on all legal and medical options. Requires that women requesting information regarding an unintended pregnancy be provided with nondirective counseling and referral on prenatal care, delivery, infant care, foster care, adoption services, and pregnancy termination.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the crisis created by Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait must be addressed and resolved separately from other conflicts in the region; and (2) the President should continue to resist any effort to link such crisis with the Arab-Israeli conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1990
Declares that the Congress, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre of December 29, 1890, acknowledges the historical significance of this event as the last armed conflict of the Indian wars period resulting in the tragic death and injury of approximately 350 to 375 Indian men, women, and children of Chief Big Foot's band of Minneconjou Sioux. Expresses the deep regret of the Congress on behalf of the United States to the descendants of the victims, survivors, and their respective tribal communities. Commends the efforts of reconciliation initiated by the State of South Dakota and the Wounded Knee Survivors Association. Expresses the support of the Congress for the establishment of a suitable Memorial to those slain at Wounded Knee which could inform the American public of the historic significance of the events and accurately portray the heroic and courageous campaign waged by the Sioux people to preserve and protect their lands and their way of life during this period. Expresses the commitment of the Congress to acknowledge and learn from our history, including the Wounded Knee Massacre, in order to provide a proper foundation for building an ever more humane, enlightened, and just society for the future.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1990
Prohibits the proposed sales to Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services (including TOW II missile launchers, M1A2 tanks, AH-64 APACHE attack helicopters, and multiple launch rocket systems) described in certifications transmitted to the Congress pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act on September 7, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Commerce, in considering the population discrepancies in the 1990 census, should utilize the statistical correction methodology to achieve a fair and accurate census. States that the Secretary of Commerce should release adjusted data by April 1, 1991, to avoid undue complications in various jurisdictions with respect to formulating redistricting plans.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1990
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to provide that the annual assessment rate for Bank Insurance Fund members shall be the rate the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors in its sole discretion determines to be appropriate to either: (1) maintain the reserve ratio at a level equal to the designated reserve ratio; or (2) restore the reserve ratio to the designated reserve ratio if it is less than that. Sets forth a minimum annual assessment for each member. Directs the FDIC to set assessment rates from time to time for insured depository institutions. (Currently such rates must be set annually.) Sets forth semiannual deadlines by which the FDIC must announce any change in the annual assessment rates.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1990
Central American Democracy and Development Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) encourage and support the Central American countries in efforts to build democracy, restore peace, establish respect for human rights, expand economic opportunities, and improve living conditions; (2) support and encourage dialogue as the proper means of resolving armed conflicts in Central America; (3) assist in, and secure greater international support for, the recommendations of the International Commission on Central American Recovery and Development; (4) participate in, and contribute to, the United Nations Development Programme for its Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for Central America; (5) help organize a partnership among donor countries and the Central American countries to provide a means of mobilizing resources and promoting a forum for dialogue about issues of development, democracy, social justice, and human rights; and (6) support and promote the President's proposed Enterprise for the Americas Initiative to assist Central American countries in opening their economies and managing their foreign debt. Requires the United States, if requested by the governments of Central America, to provide assistance for the development of the Central American Development Coordination Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Smith River National Recreation Area Act - Establishes the Smith River National Recreation Area in California. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Smith River as components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. Establishes streamside protection zones in which timber harvesting is prohibited for each river or segment specified in this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist Del Norte County in the development of a county land information system that will be compatible with Forest Service and National Park Service systems for Federal lands in the County. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000877_200.jpg)